New Daytona 1200

[ffry63]

Hi there,
I'm new to the forum as well as my 1993 Daytona 1200 and I just had a few questions for anyone that is familiar with the bike. Today was the first day I was really able to ride it and I was in town riding and noticed that the water temp gauge was reading high, not int he red but higher than what my wife's ninja 250 reads in the same conditions, I was just wondering that does the Daytona run much hotter in stop and go/low speed conditions. Of course when I returned to the highway she cooled down quickly. Sorry this is my first water cooled motorcycle, I'm used to air cooled bikes and temps are a pet peeve of mine as I also have a 73' RD350 so I don't like things to be too hot. Also my other question was is there any problems associated with the early 1200's, I've never known anyone else to ride one. The bike only has about 8500 miles on it and was inspected last week by a mech and all fluids changed so it's in extremely good condition for her age.
Thanks,
Ryan

[KitNYC]

Just like your RD & your wife's Ninjette, the D12 is going to run hotter in traffic. Like your wife's bike, and unlike your Yamahammer, it has a radiator & fan to keep things happy. Red on the temp gauge means it's overheating, not red means it's not. Blown head gaskets & bad radiator fans are the only things I know of that'll send the gauge into the red. (If you find yourself in a situation where the temp goes up with revs & doesn't come down with speed, there's a pretty good chance your head gasket is blown. DAMHIK.)

Long story short: you have nothing to worry about. Welcome to the forum & congrats on your "new" ride.

Cheers,
-Kit

[ffry63]

Thanks, like I said I'm in new water with this Daytona, I'm used to Harley's and a few a/c metric cruisers. She is definately an awsome bike that is suprisingly comfy.

[KitNYC]

Haha! Welcome to the dark side as well then!

Cheers,
-Kit

[threepot]

Dont worry about it. My Super3 runs hot in town/slow traffic(nice in the winter,helps keep your legs warm). Its a big lump of an engine! Been running mine for a while without fairing,makes a difference. Temp guage rarely goes above half.

[daveforty]

Originally Posted by KitNYC

Red means run, son, numbers add up to nothin'...

Kit, can you get the BBC iPlayer in the US? BBC4 (TV channel) has just had a Neil Young special - film of a performance and a documentary / interview. Really good stuff, worth an hour and a half of your life if you can access it. You'll need a fast internet connection though.

[KitNYC]

Thanks Dave, but it looks like it's UK-only.

Cheers,
-Kit